Current through September 2, 2024
The primary objective of the State Board of Education is to have all students complete their formal education and graduate from high school. However, students who drop out of school and believe it is in their best interest to take the (General Education Development) GED. test may do so under the following conditions and, upon successful completion of all GED requirements, may apply for an Idaho High School Equivalency Certificate (HSEC).
01.
General Education Development Tests. General Education Development (GED) tests are given by approved testing centers for a statewide fee set by the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education. Candidates must make the minimum score for passing the GED test as established by the GED Testing service.
02.
Age Criteria. The applicant must satisfy one (1) of the following age criteria:
a. The applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
b. The applicant may be sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age and be one (1) year or more behind in credits earned, expelled, recommended by the school, pregnant, or a parent. In such cases, the applicant is eligible if the applicant's school verifies in writing that the student meets one of the above criteria and this verification is on file at the testing center prior to any testing. The school may give its verification only after the applicant and his or her parent or guardian submit in writing a request for the applicant to take the GED tests and the applicant and the applicant's parent or guardian have met with school officials to review and discuss the request. (In cases where the applicant is not living with a parent or guardian, the parent or guardian's verification is not necessary.);
c. The applicant may be sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age and be entering college, the military, or an employment training program, enrolled in an Adult Basic Education Program, enrolled in the Job Corps, or incarcerated. In such cases, the applicant is eligible if the institution involved applies in writing for the applicant to take the GED tests and this application is on file at the testing center prior to any testing.
03.
Proof of Identity. Test takers must present proof of identification that shows legal name, date of birth, signature, address and photograph. Valid drivers' licenses, passports, military, and other forms of government-issued identification are acceptable. Two (2) forms of identification may be provided to meet these criteria.
04.
Idaho High School Equivalency Certificate. The State Department of Education will issue an Idaho High School Equivalency Certificate (HSEC) to eligible applicants. To be eligible to receive an HSEC, an applicant must submit the following documents to the Division of Career Technical Education:
a. An official report of GED test results showing successful completion of all requirements applicable to the version of the GED test taken by the applicant. Test scores are accepted as official only when reported directly by the State's approved vendor for transcripts and records management, the Transcript Service of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), or, in special cases, the GED Testing Service.
b. Individuals who took the exam prior to January 1, 2014, must also furnish documentation that they met the American Government requirement of the State of Idaho. This requirement may be met by resident study in high school or college, correspondence study from an accredited university, DANTES, or by successfully passing the American Government test furnished by the testing center.
c. A completed form DD295 on all service personnel. This form is not required of veterans and non-veteran adults.
d. A copy of a discharge if the applicant is a veteran of military service.
Effective March 15, 2022
